I like you video.I am just learning.Bought an 18″Waltons.This is not the first time picking up the drum.I was a cast member of a Ren Faire.Some of the musicians let me play with there bodhrans.I do play the bones well.
I didn’t find the actual registration on your site that was mentioned about drum strokes in the video.

Found your YouTube stuff through doing a search on “online bodhran lesson” — this is fantastic! I really appreciate it when knowledgeable people share their expertise online. Your status as a teacher is enhanced, not detracted from, by helping people out no matter where they are!

For my June 5th birthday I requested a Bodhran…I didn’t get any instructions (tapes/DVD’s) and was happy to find your instructions online. Thank you very much for the many lessons made available to the internet community.
George Alexa – Northern Virginia (USA).

Hi Michelle,
I have no percussion experience but received a bodhran. Do you have a suggestion as to what sequence I should watch your video lessons. I started with the tipper holding video. Thank you. Jan

Love the website and all the videos. I’m a new Bodhran player, so I’m trying to absorb as much as I can. I am looking forward to working with the ‘slow downer’ program. Hope that helps me. Thanks so much for creating this site.

Hi, Michelle!
I am a brand new bodhran player and I’m hooked. Way back in high school I played in the percussion section with my husband-to-be. We just celebrated our 30th anniversary with a trip to Ireland where I met Michael Vignoles in Galway. I regretted not purchasing a drum from him and so I found him on the internet. My bodhran arrived and I started searching the web for instruction.
I LOVE this website and all of your wonderful videos. You are the BEST! I watch and practice along over and over and over. You are a natural teacher.
Thank you for this amazing gift and sharing your fabulous talent and passion!
Extremely grateful,
Michelle

Dear Michelle,
thanks a lot for the website and for the very helpful videos.
It’s more than a year that I am struggling against a very low expensive bodhràn, and with a couple of bodhràn learning methods, but I have found that your videos are really more helpfull than them. Now I have a new drum (a 16″ one) and things are going better than before.
Thanks again, I will wait for new videos and news.
Very kind regards
Andrea
P.S. I am Italian, and my real name is Andrea: here in Italy it’s a male’s name…

Hi Michelle,
Thanks for your hardwork putting this site together. It is a great site for learning and you are a fantastic teacher. You have a little something for every player. I look forward to more videos in the future. Thanks again!

Just discovered your website and it looks like it will be a great resource for me in learning to play the Bodhran. I appreciate the pace at which your videos flow. Seeing it….and playing it at a slower speed helps a great deal. If you ever put out a series of instruction DVDs let me know and I’ll be in line to get it. Would love some recommendations on tunable Bodhrans.

I love the bodhranexpert.com site. I practice these videos at least 3 days a week and I think I’m learning very quickly. When my sister comes to visit in 3 weeks she is bringing her bagpipes and I think she will be surprised at my ability to play with her. I can get the rythyms but I’m still working on the dynamics. I can play softly but I miss a few beats here and there. I am enjoying it.

Many thanks for the excellent videos.The link to the BBC virtual sessions is just GREAT.
I have owned my bodhran for 2 weeks & can play along with most of the jigs using the “Mother of all Jigs” rhythm for quite a while before my arm feels like falling off.

Want to get the technique sorted out before I move on to a reel.
Looking forward to many more evenings in your (virtual) company.

I will be getting my drum in the mail shortly from a maker in Ireland. I am so excited to start playing it, thanks for this cool site and your videos. Just a side note my Grandmother and her Mother, Father, siblings were from Cape Breton. I hope someday to go there. Thanks.

Aw, this was a really quality post. In theory I’d like to write like this too – taking time and real effort to make a good article… but what can I say… I procrastinate alot and never seem to get something done.

This is such a great resource that you are providing and you give it away for free. I enjoy seeing websites that understand the value of providing a prime resource for free. I truly loved reading your post. Thanks!

Thank you for this website
it has everything. As a beginning bodhran player i find this site very professional in its presentation, and still very simple and uncomplicated. It has been a pleasure to search the site and admire your abilities with the Bodhran. My Bodhran arrived today and I am excited to commence my journey with it. One of the only problems I am worried about is that I live in Cairns, Australia and through the summer period, the humidity can reach 100% with the temperature reaching 33 degrees C or about 90 deg F. I hope this doesnt affect the the Bodhran too much.

Hello Michele!
My name is Michael, I’m a 20 year old italian guy and I must say that I’m a musican with heart and soul! I play the violin and the clarinett, but now that I moved here to England (Bournemouth) for my studies I felt a bit sad, because I couldn’t bring any of my instruments with me… =’(
I had also to stop all my other things like singing on Open Airs, playing in bands and teaching young kids how to play the flute. But as destiny plays, I heared a few weeks ago a song of “The corrs” and there one of the girls did an amazing solo on the bodhran. I wasn’t keen on looking it directly up on the internet, how this drum was called and so I forgot it. 2 days ago I began to sort out all my musicclips and a literally fell over this song again. Totally inspired by that I began to look everywhere to find out more about that instrument and therefore I found you on youtube. This week I’ll start to play the Bodhran (with the help of your youtube clips). Today I started practicing on my thick College book…. (I think that’s a much better use…) Hihihihihihi.. =P
Today a friend called me and told me that a friend of him is selling his old Bodhran and therefore I’ll go to Bristol on Friday to get it and then I’ll start it! JUHU!!! =)
I hope you’ll put much more clips under youtube, so that I’ve got alway something to play. Hopefully when you reply, than I have your mail and I’ll inform you about every success that I make. =)
Thank you a lot and hope to hear from you soon.
P.s.: As soon as I’ve got your mail I’ll send you a piture of me an my new Bodhran.

Hi ya, I am a real beginner and have tried books, CD’s and videos. I’ve recently found your site and have already found it more helpful than everything else I’ve tried put together. I was getting really frustrated but I’ve followed a couple of your videos and I now have renewed excitement in learning this great instrument. Thanks for posting these resources, they are incredibly helpful. All you need to do now is get yourself over to England and run one of your courses here and I’l be sorted 🙂 I’ll keep you informed as to my progress. Thanks again

Mechelle
I can not thank you enough for this web site. I have been playing “with you” all winter on a little 14inch fiber drum. Last night I went to my local session with my silver whistle. Then when they went into a set I did not know, I brought out my new Brendan White drum and joined in. The old fellow, from Dublin, on the box leaned in at the end of the night and said “good drummin, you should come on Sunday nights and play with us” I am over the moon!!!!! Could not have done it without your help. I did just what you said, played quietly and simple rythyms. I even tried a few melody rythyms. Next I will get into triplets. All the best with your school in CA. Look forward to more videos. Slan

Hi Michelle-
Your tutorials are terrific. I have little background in music, but have always loved the bodhran. My daughter also loves it and is getting married this fall. The wedding day starts with a few friends and a cousin who will be playing some traditional irish music. She was disappointed to not have a bodhran player, so am trying to learn so I can accompany one or two songs as a surprise.

Am working through the seven day tutorial (it’s taking me a lot longer than seven days). and am hopeful. It’s exactly the thing I need. Thank you for sharing your wonderful talent with others! Wish me luck! -robin

I am so excited to have discovered your site. I just got, or should say made my first bodhran with Fred Graham of the ‘Irish rovers’ this summer at an Irish festival, and I am really enjoying your teaching videos. They are super well done, so much fun!! I love my private lessons with you!!

I am so pleased i found this site after my first bodhran lesson this week. I was a little daunted at the thought of practicing every day without the guidance of my teacher. Your videos and links to other resources have really helped. Do you know how difficult it is to find a bodhran teacher in England, especially the Home Counties?

I am a retired teacher (living just north of London) who is self-taught on the guitar and I have always wanted to play drums. Your teaching method is excellent – I was playing along with the jigs on the virtual jamming session within minutes of watching and practicing with the ‘mother of all gigs’ clip.

Hi Michelle, I just discovered bodhrans a couple months ago while sifting through a folk musical instruments site. Told my sister about them (we both love drumming, and have been doing Taiko drumming for almost 2 years now) and she proceeded to get one for each of us. Found your lessons online and want to let you know that they are great and easy to follow for beginners like us. Thank you so much for posting these informative videos online. The time you take to repeat the rhythms is perfect for me, and I also appreciate the extra tips, (like the scratching problem I was having – thought it was just me) Thanks so much! Both my sister and I are looking forward to the drum circle at the Rennaissance Festival here in Texas this year. (everyone else plays djembe drums, so the bodhran will be a unique addition)

Hi Michelle,
Thanks so much for the lessons. I am new at all of this. I love the way you teach. I am a Science Teacher myself. You are truly a gifted teacher. I just bought my bodhran about 2 weeks ago. You have inspired me to learn more! Will you be doing a series of lessons…I mean on DVD or anything like that? Please let me know.
Thanks Again,
Jill

Navigation

For your FREE report on the Basic Strokes PLUS a Bonus Troubleshooting Lesson and subscription to the BodhranExpert newsletter with strategies, tools and inspiration to quickly transform your bodhran playing enter your first name and valid email address and click "Send It To Me Now"